Go local to deal with food shortage, says agri minister

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton has encouraged Jamaicans to substitute local produce for those in short supply due to the recent weather conditions, rather than turn to imported foods.

He was speaking on Tuesday at his ministry's quarterly press briefing at its Hope Gardens headquarters in Kingston.

Dr Tufton said the effects of Tropical Storm Nicole had left produce, such as tomatoes, lettuce, melons, cantaloupes and sweet peppers in short supply. He added that while permits have been granted for the importation of some of these crops, in the interim, where possible, Jamaicans should still support local farmers.

"To the consumers, we say, where you are inconvenienced, appreciate that these things do happen and, in support of the farmers in Jamaica and the agricultural sector generally, sometimes we may want to consider looking at a local substitute to compensate for the shortage of your local favourite product, rather than to look to an imported product," he said.